Paypal holding £2500 for 180 days, quick query regarding linked issue

[KL2]

I’m no stranger to PayPal, they limited me when I was 14 over 10 years ago and since then they always link my accounts back to that one account.

So anyway, with everything going on, I thought I’d free up some money and sell some of my old computer stuff. My MacBook Pro, my gaming laptop, some old CPU’s.

All was fine, I raised a credit card dispute because PayPal wouldn’t assist me so they limited my account until I could verify my identity. I verified it, then they hit me with a limitation with £2500 in my balance as a withdrawal was going through.

Long story short, I owe PayPal £600 from last year when I sold something and the person sent back a fake item stating it was what I sent. I refused to pay it on grounds I’ve lost the item and my money, PayPal limited the account etc.

So I messaged them yesterday asking for the exact date I could receive my funds on, they replied back saying until I clear the balance on the other account, they won’t consider giving me the funds.

I can wait 6 months, I’m fortunate enough not to need the money right this second but ideally I’d rather not. Can they hold my funds indefinitely until I pay the other balance? Ie if I don’t ever pay that balance back, will they just hold my funds for as long as they want?

Again - I’m not looking to pay that balance, I sold the item and they tried scamming me and PayPal sided with him as he proved he tracking number was signed for.

[Guest]

I have experienced this problem in the past and expect I will in the future, from memory I have had items returned at least three items, one that sticks to my mind was a computer back up battery, (rather large and costly to courier), I had it checked by an electrician and verified as ok, sent of, sent back the same day, when I picked it up more rattles than a steam train. End result PayPal refunded. It works both ways if you buy an item that is not working PayPal refund as the buyer, so its a chance you take. Another was a record player sent it off perfect, sent back all working parts removed.